A migraine is an incredibly painful type of headache that can be disabling. Migraines are sometimes severe enough that they require medical attention, in which case you may wonder whether to go to a hospital ER or to an urgent care center.
Let’s talk about how to decide when and where to go to receive medical treatment for a migraine headache, and where you can go in Fairless Hills for swift and efficient urgent care for your migraine.
The Difference Between a Regular Headache and a Migraine Headache
A normal headache may be caused by stress, sinus pressure, high blood pressure, or an infection. The pain is usually controllable by taking over-the-counter pain medication.
Migraines, on the other hand, can cause severe pain and throbbing on one side or both sides of the head, and they are frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and an increased sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for several hours or several days.
It is not fully understood what causes migraines, but it is suspected that changes in nerve functions and certain brain chemical fluctuations are involved. Migraines are much more common in women than in men. Although they can occur at any age, they tend to first appear in adolescence or early adulthood, peak during the 30s, and gradually become less severe with age.
Other risk factors and triggers associated with migraines include:
- Family history
- Hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or hormone medications
- Stress
- Changes to sleep patterns/lack of sleep
- Intense physical activity
- Alcohol consumption
- Caffeine consumption
- Certain foods and food additives, such as artificial sweeteners, processed or salty foods, fermented food, pickled food, or MSG (monosodium glutamate)
- Skipping meals
- Weather changes
- Changes in barometric pressure or altitude
- Some medications, such as oral contraceptives or vasodilators (medication for high blood pressure)
- Flashing/bright lights or glare
- Strong odors or scents
Treatment for Migraines
If you are having symptoms of a migraine, it is in your best interest to go to an urgent care center for a quick evaluation and treatment so it can be stifled before it worsens. You may be given a prescription for a preventive medication to help prevent future migraines from occurring.
Although you can’t always prevent a migraine headache, learning how to recognize your potential triggers can help to reduce future attacks. Your doctor will discuss with you what your triggers likely are.
To help relieve migraine symptoms, rest in a dark, quiet room, drink plenty of water, and place a cool cloth or cold pack on your forehead. Other treatments that can help address migraines include BOTOX® injections, acupuncture, biofeedback, and behavioral therapy.
When Do I Need Urgent Care?
The following signs and symptoms warrant prompt medical attention at an urgent care center:
- An acute, severe headache (like a thunderclap)
- Headache accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, confusion, double vision, speech problems, convulsions, weakness, or numbness anywhere in the body
- Persistent headache that becomes worse after exertion, sudden movements, coughing, or straining
- Headache following a head injury
- New headache pain when over the age of 50
An urgent care center will provide immediate medical attention for any kind of acute medical condition. Urgent care facilities have highly trained physicians who are able to assess and treat a range of conditions, including migraines.
Urgent care offers a number of benefits as compared to the emergency room. They are often able to get you treated a lot quicker than an emergency room, because they do not have a triage system which will prioritize more-severe health cases before you. Urgent care centers also tend to be quieter and less crowded than a hospital ER, and they almost always offer shorter wait times and faster treatment than at an ER.
Urgent Care in Fairless Hills, PA
If you have a severe migraine and are looking for high-quality and reliable urgent care services, visit Patient Care Now Urgent Care. We provide a prompt diagnosis and expert treatment for patients of all ages with acute illnesses and injuries. We also provide general healthcare for the whole family.
We are open 365 days a year to serve patients here in the Bucks County area. If you would like to find out more about the services we offer, call us today at (267) 202-6433. No appointment is necessary, but you may wish to check in online for the fastest service. We look forward to being your go-to healthcare clinic.
